Senior Director, IT Infrastructure and Operations

About the Position:

The Senior Director, IT Infrastructure and Operations at Hazelview is a hands-on leader driving IT strategy and execution across infrastructure, cybersecurity, and operations. Reporting directly to the CTO, this role aligns IT initiatives with business objectives to ensure a secure, scalable, and efficient technology environment. 

The Senior Director will take ownership of IT operations, identifying opportunities for growth and improvement, developing strategies, and implementing roadmaps. They will drive innovation, enhance cybersecurity, and deliver cost-effective solutions to meet evolving business needs. 

This role requires a leader who balances strategic oversight with tactical involvement, working collaboratively with team members and ensuring the success of key initiatives. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership - Lead the development of IT roadmaps for infrastructure, operations, and cybersecurity, incorporating input from team members and aligning with the CTO for strategic oversight. 
• Team Oversight and Project Management - Provide leadership and direction to the IT operations team, fostering a collaborative and results-driven environment. Oversee the successful delivery of IT projects of any scale, utilizing/managing external project management resources for highly complex initiatives as needed. 
• Cybersecurity and Risk Management - Own the evaluation and implementation of cybersecurity initiatives, including data loss prevention and vulnerability assessments, in collaboration with the IT team.
• Operational Excellence - Manage IT policies; ensure compliance and handle audit and external due diligence requests. Actively participate in maintaining and improving IT infrastructure and operations, stepping in hands-on when necessary.
• Vendor Management - Manage vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and optimize IT budgets to ensure cost-effective and scalable solutions. 
• Cross-Functional Collaboration - Partner with other departments to align IT solutions with business needs, demonstrating strong communication and high emotional intelligence. 
• Continuous Improvement and Innovation - Stay informed on emerging technologies and trends, proposing innovative tools and systems to enhance operational efficiency and scalability.

Job Requirements:

Education and Experience:

• Post-secondary degree or equivalent experience in a computing / engineering field 
• 10+ years of progressive experience in IT operations, cybersecurity, or related roles within midsized organizations of 300-1,500 employees. 
• CISM, CISSP or equivalent is a plus 
• Expertise in Microsoft Office 365, Azure, SharePoint, and Active Directory. 
• Expertise in Microsoft’s identity and access management, endpoint management solutions 
• Proven leadership experience in cybersecurity strategy and operations, such as implementing Zero Trust frameworks, EDR, data loss prevention (DLP) solutions 
• Experience in IT policy development such as business continuity and disaster recovery planning is a must 
• Network Architecture and Optimization - expertise in WAN/LAN design, SD-WAN, and network performance tuning for distributed teams. 
• Strong negotiation skills to secure favorable terms with vendors and manage long-term strategic partnerships. 
• Industry experience in investment or property management or similar environments with widely distributed employee base is preferred but not required. Prefer candidates with experience in regulated industries (e.g., finance, healthcare) 
• Demonstrated success in leading and delivering large-scale IT projects such as system migrations, infrastructure upgrades, or cybersecurity implementations. 
• Strong leadership experience, with a track record of managing and developing IT teams in a collaborative and results-oriented environment. 

What Sets You Apart:

• Hands-on experience with PowerShell, Python, and Power Automate or other automation solutions. 
• MSSQL Database management and administration 
• Data and Analytics skillset – MS Stack – T-SQL, Data warehousing, visualization tools 
• Proven project management knowledge and leadership 
• Proven business analysis skills 
• Hands on software development experience 
• Proven change management ability to guide teams and stakeholders through significant technological changes, ensuring smooth adoption and minimal disruption 

Qualifications: 

• Strong problem solving ability and demonstrated resourcefulness 
• Must have a combination of technical, business, and leadership skills. 
• Strong knowledge of the latest technologies, trends, and best practices such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, automation, internet of things, and cybersecurity. 
• An effective communicator and presenter, verbal, written and visual, with the ability to effectively engage stakeholders at all levels. 
• Proven ability to lead digital transformation initiatives, including project management, business analysis, requirements gathering, stakeholder communication, and change management. 
• Hands-on leader with the ability to work with employees at all levels. Adept at problem-solving and fostering an inclusive, collaborative team environment. 
• Embody Hazelview’s core values: an ownership mindset, trust, collaboration, and a sense of fun. 
• Actively championing diversity, equity and inclusion to create an environment of belonging. 

About the Company:

At Hazelview Properties we believe that apartments are more than bricks and mortar - they are an experience.

Started in 1999 with one small building in Oakville Ontario, we now manage a portfolio of over 200 multi-family residential buildings throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.

Hazelview Properties takes pride in ownership and an active hands-on approach to how we manage our communities. We are committed to fostering the long-term growth of our employees, communities and the investments we make for our clients. It’s one of the things we’ve always believed in, creating value for people and places.

At Hazelview, we know our greatest asset is our people.  We go all out to build and nurture a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture where individual experiences and collective layers of difference are brought together to achieve greatness.  We invest where we see potential, building for now and generations to come.

Vision: “We create value for people and places”.

Our Core Values:

• Trust
• Ambition
• Collaboration
• Ownership Mindset
• Having Fun

Hazelview Property Services Inc. is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer. If you require an accommodation to participate in any aspect of the recruitment process or to perform essential job functions, please let us know. We will work with you to accommodate your needs and in accordance with all applicable legislation. Information related to accommodation requirements will be addressed confidentially.

Our vision for sustainability is to foster happy, healthy, thriving communities where we operate. We recognize that it is the responsibility of Hazelview to create an inclusive environment that respects the dignity and diversity of all team members. To learn more, please visit the following link: https://www.hazelviewproperties.com/about/sustainability